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Pause vs paws

Pause and paws are two words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings. They are homophones. We will examine the difference between the definitions of pause and paws, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences.

Pause means to temporarily stop during a process or while speaking, and then resume the process or speaking. Pause may also be used as a noun to mean the temporary stop or break taken during a process or while speaking. Related words are pauses, paused, pausing. The word pause is derived from the Greek word pausis, which means to stop.

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Paws is the plural form of paw, which means the foot of an animal. Informally, paw may also mean a human hand. Paws is also the second person present tense of the verb paw, meaning to strike at the ground with a foot or hoof. Related words are pawed and pawing. The word paws is derived from the Old French word powe, which means fist.

Examples

Nationwide plans to restrict nurses on substantive NHS contracts from taking agency work were put “on pause” this month, following a backlash in the profession. (The East Anglian Daily Times)

Mayoral candidate Heath Mello wants the city to “press pause” on the streetcar initiative until the May 9 election because Brad Ashford, a Mello supporter, has resigned from an advocacy group pushing for development in midtown. (The Omaha World-Herald)

The panda quickly backs away from the rock, stands on its hind legs and throws its front paws up in the air, seemingly attempting to intimidate the rock. (The Palm Beach Post)